Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-01-20
As AN AFTER DINNER TALKsR.


obtf 80. ssFFhh8
A Dinner at Deimonico's.
Henry Ward Beecher is fond Of attend
ing public dinners, although on such oc-
casions he scarcely over eats anything.
While those around him are slowing
away all Of the solids and fluids within
their reach the Plymouth pastor nibbles
bread and sips Apollinaris. He. how
ever, keeps up a steady flow of talk that
puts every person within sound Of his
voice in a merry humor. Mr.. Bcecher's
presence at a banquet insurcs an enjoya-
bio evening to all Of the other partici-
pants. II seems impossible for him TO
talk and not he entertaining. No matter
how many other distinguished men and
able speakers there may lie at the festive
board, Becchcr is sure to be the o~ratori-
cal lion of the feast. His versatility and
cloquence seem TO have no limit. He
says that he never prepares himself for
an after dinner speech, but takes his u
from the inspiration of the moment.
''Oh, please do not put me down for any
stated TOPIC" he invariably demonstrates
when approached by the toast master;
.'just Let me know when my turn
to speak and | will rattle oil something"
One night at D%elD,onico's, after a partic-
ularly effective speech by Mr.. Beecher, a
newspaper reporter asked 1.-The old man
eloquent for his notes. MIR. Bcecher
handed the reporter a crumpled bit Of
paper on which were traced almost illegi-
bly, the words Huxley Darwin
''Pshaw.'
Il is Mr.. Beecher's boast that he never
wore a dress coat. He wears his every
day suit Of black broadcloth wherever he
goes. and though he may be-as he often
is-the only man among 200 ar 800 ban
Jlicters not attIrcd in the regulation even
ing dress. nulssiy would notice any lit
cungruify. BeYchcr's strong personality
comptrtcly oVprshadows such petty lie
tails n dress. About three wears ago a
hig dinner '.as given at DrlmunlcU's 10y
the clEuuipr uf commerce, nj which there
were present President Arthur. Gen.
Grant. Governor Cleveland and the gov
ernnrs of ten other states. The affair was
intended Ia h. very swell and ~ It was.
MI. Bs-'her arrived late, and afcw Of his
fricmls could not help noticing that he
had paid less attention to his toilet than
usual. But the sturdy e%xpounder had no
apologies to offer. In the course Of his
speech. which was one of the most clo-
quent he was ever heard 10 utter. lie cx-
planned that he had just come from his
farm al Peekskill and had hurried to
catch the train. The charm Of his ora
tory set the company wild with enthusi-
asm. and at the finish, after the cheering
and waving Of handkerchiefs and napkins
had ceased, Gen. Grant clasped the speak
er's hand and in tones Of genuine admira-
ton said: "Mr. Betcller, | don't know
what kind of a farmer you are, but as a
talker YOU are some pumpkins
On a subsequent occasion the Plymouth
pastor made a notable speech in Delmoni-
cos. Ii was at a great banquet given in
honor of Henry Irving. Mr.. Beecher's
tribute 10 the drama and his word pict-
nres Of some of Shakespeare noblest
creations touched chords of sympathy in
every listeners heart. The demonstra-
ton that followed the speech lasted nearly
three minutes. and almost every person
in the room evinced an irrepressible desire
to shake hands with Mr.. Beecher. More
than 100 OF the menus were passed up to
receive the autographs of Mr.. Irving and
Mr.. Beecher. The writer Of these recol-
l~ections was one Of the guilty persons who
solicited those autographs. and after he
had obtained them he showed the card to
poor John McC ullough, who wrote under
the two names: The pulpit and the
stage the powerful educators Of the
world-John Mccullough. New York
T,uae